WHO WILL WIN THE WORLD CUP!!!

So it seems like England, Australia and the Netherlands are the favourites - at least in this thread. However, I think that has more to do with the nationalities of the TP members than the quality of the teams...

I honestly don't think England are good enough. They didn't deserve victory against Ecuador yesterday. Ecuador was the better team. You guys didn't even win over Sweden - and see how bad our team is playing!!!

Though, the Netherlands are out, at least... Scary game, yesterday. I wouldn't have been surprised if there would have been killing during the game. That was a rough one!

//Susanna

and yeah I meant Italy - god this English bashing really annoys me - cant even remember the games...

rach86435, I'm actually a BIG fan of the England team (much to the annoyance of many of my friends). But at the same time, I'm also one bashing the English team - there is so much talent there and so much potential, but they're playing like they are in a Z grade competition. Very frustrating.

But that aside, we here in Australia have been watching the World Cup every 4 years. We've been watching with envy for years to be part of the competition, and now we've realised that dream.

P.S England bashing is a sport over here. It's got to do with us having to prove to the mother country that we're all grown up

Kinda agree the game was shocking but facts are we're playing cr@p but still undefeated and through so gotta love them for that... plus we seem to have all the illness and drama that I now really just want them to get through cause they are having a hard time of it... everyone knows we can play better and if we've got this far im gonna keep flying the England flag.

If nothing else to run around like an idiot singing Vindaloo... try it you might like it!

England are playing shite and still managing to muddle through, Portugal shouldn't be too much of a problem after last nights match - most of them are either banned, injured or looking for a 2nd yellow.
It looks like the refs are going to be winning this one, and i'd still put my money on Argentina or Germany.
England have a few handycaps, the coach. Sven dosen't care (he's got his £4m golden handshake) and is paying back favours hence Beckham is still captian and Hargrieves and Ferdinan are still playing.

Aussies big day today, this is the crunch time. They need to take a leaf out of the rugby teams book.

Ouch, what a game last night. I still can't believe that Ruud wasn't put in the game with half an hour to play, or even to start the second half. There's at least two chances there that he would have made, whilst Kuyt and Cocu didn't (boy, those were HUGE chances!!). Not to mention any number of crosses where there was no one (and where he'd normally be standing). I like van Basten, but he messed up big time last night. After the last game he should have left van Bronckhorst out and played de Clerc. Wouldn't have cost us the one goal; v Bronckhorst is just too old/slow! And bringing in vd Vaart. Man, I got frustrated watching.

Despite the number of cards, I think the ref did an outstanding job really. The only disputable cards were the second yellow for Boelarus (typical Figo dive - won't that old geezer ever become a man, what a diving wuss, England watch out for him!), but then again, he could have gotten a red for the first attack on Ronaldo too.... Whatever portugese player kicked the dutchman in their chest should also have gotten a red card; that was an attrocious kick!

Anyway, that's the way the Dutch always go out. One goal difference in a game that could easily go both ways.... at least it's spectacular and they played decent.

Rach8645, much as I thought England would be contenders before it all started, they are playing absolutely the worst possible football a side could with that many multi million dollar players on the team. They've only managed to get this far due to a healthy dosis of luck and dead play moments... If they don't step it up a 100 gears or so, there's no way they'll beat portugal. But I hope they do, just because I'd like to see them play better (and Figo lose).

If I had to put money on it, Germany is the clear favourite (and coming from a dutchman, that means they have REALLY impressed). They play fantastic football and besides that, they're always a good tournament team that plays like a real time and with a tremendous amount of spirit.

As of today, my hopes are with the Ozzies and Ghana. Always one for the underdogs

[ Edit: Brought back on topic ]

I'm going to be stuck at work for this afternoons game.
The BBC has kindly thought of this though and is live streaming the game - Yippee, I can sit and watch it and get PAID for it too

A big thank you BBC, and hopefully this time the ref won't be setting any records for handing out cards, gee the Holland v Portugal you would have thought the ref was a dealer in a casino !!!